Motorcycle road trip Sri Lanka

The White Gold of Ceylon

Sri Lanka in summer: an authentic motorbike tour alongside the wild scenery and lagoons of the East Coast.

Francis, Travel designer

Francis is a biker always venturing out on the road to uncover new routes with as much passion as he has telling stories. He is an enthusiast and knows our itineraries like the back of his hand.

A rare monsoon-less region in South Asia, the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka is still unexplored. White sand beaches stretch for miles, a lush jungle crawling with elephants, Buddhist sanctuaries imbued with spirituality. Far from the classic motorcycle tours, Sri Lankans are particularly warm hosts. You ride on a Royal Enfield and follow the rhythm of sunrise and sunset. You are not racing against time, always trying to get a few more miles done; you are on a holiday. It is time for contemplation and lazing around. A motorcycle tour in a unique Sri Lanka for those who want to ride a few hours in the morning followed by relaxation time on the most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka.

Useful information

PeriodJuly to August

Duration12 days incl. 7 days' riding

LevelIntermediate

English-speaking tour leader

Accommodation Comfort or Boutique

From€3,310/pilot
€3,010/pillion

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Your Motorcycle Tour in Sri Lanka
12 stages - 585 miles

D1 / Arrive in Colombo - Negombo

You’re met at the airport and transferred to Negombo, your first stop on Sri Lankan soil. After checking in at the hotel, you can take the time to enjoy this sleepy fishing village and rest after your long journey. You can also explore the fishing port in the small town.

D2 / Negombo - Trincomalee

You are transferred to Colombo airport for your domestic flight to Trincomalee, on the east coast. You reach your hotel where the motorcycles are waiting for you. This is the ideal moment for you to relax on Nilaveli’s magnificent white sand beach.

D3 / Trincomalee
- 31 miles

This morning, your tour leader introduces you to your new steel steed: the Royal Enfield. You leave for your first ride around Trincomalee, exploring this bay far from the usual tourist tracks. We take the opportunity to visit Koneswaram Hindu temple before perching on the top of “Lovers’ Leap”. We return to the hotel for lunch. You have some free time in the afternoon.

D4 / Trincomalee - Passikudah
- 118 miles

We make an early start and ride along the island’s east coast heading south to Passikudah. You discover the strong sense of freedom that biking can give you as you explore this wild coast. We check in at the hotel and it is already time for you to have a refreshing dip in the ocean.

D5 / Passikudah - Gal Oya
- 81 miles

We continue down towards the south of the island along the coast on a magnificent road for approximately 50 miles, through lagoons and reservoirs until we reach Gal Oya National Park, our stop for the day. We spend the afternoon before the Peace Pagoda “Shanti Stupa” and we may be lucky enough to spot some wild elephants, which often walk past the building at sunset.

D6 / Gal Oya

We spend the day exploring the wild, unique Gal Oya National Park. We go on a boat safari on Senanayake Samudra, the island’s biggest lake and spot elephants, buffaloes and crocodiles. Bird watchers will love this park, which is home to more than 150 species. We end the day in Ampara.

D7 / Gal Oya - Arugam Bay
- 75 miles

This is our last, short ride on the country’s east coast, along the lagoons. We ride to Pothuvil, a few miles north of Arugam Bay, a charming, wild sandy bay, known as the best surfing spot in the country. The carefree atmosphere is immediately appealing and its hinterland provides a vast area to explore.

D8 / Arugam Bay - Ella
- 87 miles

We leave in the morning and experience a change of scenery as we head back west to the country’s mountains. En route, we will visit Maligawila Buddhist statue. The 22-mile ascent at the end of the leg is refreshing with splendid views of the surrounding mountains.

D9 / Ella - Haputale
- 37 miles

Still aboard our Royal Enfields, we follow the road through mountainside tea plantations in central Sri Lanka. We visit the small town Bandarawela and head for Haputale. During the journey, we will enjoy the spectacular views over the valley, taking in the tea plantations and waterfalls.

D10 / Haputale - Uda Walawe
- 75 miles

Today, we continue our journey towards the south on a superb country road that leads us to the border of Uda Walawe National Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the country. In the afternoon, you can let your Royal Enfield rest a little and hop on to a jeep for a safari. Uda Walawe Reserve is famous for its diverse animal species: elephants, buffalos, peacocks, crocodiles, etc.

D11 / Uda Walawe - Galle
- 81 miles

Make the most of this last leg and your Royal Enfield! We head south, then west along the coast. We reach Galle and after roaming around the battlements and parapets of the imposing Dutch fort, you can take some time to wander around the walled city’s alleyways. The renovated Dutch colonial houses, lively cafés, craft shops and artists’ workshops make Galle incredibly charming.

D12 / Galle - Negombo

We get back on the road to head for Colombo. You are transferred to the international airport according to your flight schedule. Important: make sure you book an evening flight.

“I was born in Sri Lanka but I was taken to parts I didn't know existed.
Excellent knowledge of which routes to take to avoid the sometimes hellish traffic.
The bikes were great fun : this is despite me being 125 kilos on a 350 - impressed !
They seem to be constantly reviewing their hotels which can only mean a better experience
I would recommend this company to my biking friends”